Friday 26th March I left a cold though bright Lincolnshire by train, the mode of transport I had chosen for the journey to Madrid. The journey to Paris was on time and apart from seeing Jarvis Cocker boarding my Eurostar at Waterloo, largely uneventful. I crossed Paris on the Metro to Gare D’Austerlitz to catch the overnight train to Madrid.
Saturday 27th March I arrived on time at an unusually cold and snowing Madrid. Collected my pre-booked hire car at Charmartin railway station, and drove up into the Sierra de Guadarrama NW of Madrid. There was a lot of snow on the ground in the mountains and it snowed for most of the day, making conditions less than ideal. After poor views of a pair of Citril Finches and my only Golden Eagle of the trip, I drove to the Ermita de San Frutos for late afternoon in search of Duponts Lark. The Dupont’s were not calling however, so I enjoyed the Griffon Vultures 50+, Chough 12, Stone Curlew 2, Dartford Warbler 2, Blue Rock Thrush 3, Thekla Lark 8, Woodlark 6 and Crag Martin 2 that did want to show. A flock of Greylag Geese 250+ flying over was a surprise. Overnight in Holiday Inn Express Tres Cantos. The mountains can be very busy with Madrid’s residents at weekends, finding accommodation would be difficult I imagine. I pre-booked my hotel in the UK on the internet. (351km Driven)
Sunday 28th March After a very long day yesterday and losing an hour when the clocks went forward, I was glad to have slept well. Snowing again when I woke and more expected, I drove back to Puerto de Navacerrada and after a short walk into the woods near the ski lift had excellent views of a pair of Citril Finches and Crested Tit 2. A stop on the M611 at km 29 produced Fieldfare 50, Carrion Crow 1, Green Woodpecker 4+, Hawfinch 1, Meadow Pipit 3, and Mistle Thrush 2.
A stop at the west end of Embalse de Santillana signposted from the main road towards the cemetery (as described in WTWB in NE Spain) produced the first Azure-winged Magpies of the trip and Chiffchaff though little else as the rain was now torrential. A stop on the M608 km22 overlooking the Embalse (reservoir) and some rough ground, produced a flock of Rock Sparrow 35, Cirl Bunting 2, Woodlark 2, Serin 14+, Linnet 16, Chaffinch 8 and a cracking Male Brambling. Also Crag Martin 200+, Shoveler 35 and Gadwall 10.
Embalse de Pedrezuela held Gadwall 35, Teal 20, Shoveler 30, Osprey 1, Little Ringed Plover 1, Redshank 1, Swallow 300+, House Martin 40+ and a Southern Grey Shrike. Along the roadside route west of the Embalse, about 70 White Storks were nesting next to the road, a great spectacle, though stopping could cause disturbance and care is needed.
Weather was appalling almost all day. BBC World weather said that the average for Madrid is 16 degrees C for this time of the year. It was 3 Degrees. As the forecast was for continuing poor weather, I decided to abandon Duponts and try again at the end of the trip.
Overnight Tres Cantos again. (189km Driven)
Monday 29th March It was bucketing down as forecast, this and the Madrid rush hour, didn’t make for pleasant driving conditions. The bulk of the traffic died off about 40kms from Madrid. A brief stop at Embalse de Azutan, Site 5 in ‘ A Birdwatching Guide to Extremadura by John Muddeman’ – An excellent aid to any trip here, had Cetti’s Warbler 3, Cattle Egret 2, Green Woodpecker 1 and Serin 4 as highlights, as it was still raining very hard.
I then drove north of Oropesa, Site 3 in Muddeman’s book, and with the weather improving saw Marsh Harrier 1m, Fan T Warbler 1+ and Sardinian Warbler 1m along the roadside. Just south of Corchuela on the CM5150 a cracking Black Winged Kite was sat on a roadside telegraph pole.
About 5kms north of Corchuela a Green Sandpiper was on a roadside pool, a Red Kite, Stonechat, Azure winged Magpie and a couple of Southern Grey Shrikes also showed themselves in the sunshine. Just after taking the turning to Navalcan a Black Stork flew up stream.
Embalse de Navalcan, still site 3, had Osprey 1, House Martin 200+, Whiskered Tern 2, Swift 1, Cormorant 22, Swallow 100+, Jackdaw 30, GC Grebe 5, LBB Gull 7, Red Rumped Swallow 8 FAB!
I returned to the area where I had seen the Stork and now found 2 Black Stork along the riverside. Just north of the bridge indicated on the Muddeman map, the main road passes over a small bridge, I got crippling views of a Kingfisher here.
Embalse de Rosario produced another Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail 1, Blackcap 3+, LBB Gull 70+, Cormorant 250+, GC Grebe 10+, and a superb Male Subalpine Warbler, and the biggest surprise a Caspian Tern apparently a vagrant to the area. I drove the road following the reservoirs western shore, and found a small layby after 1km from the turn off on the Madrigal de la Vera to Oropesa road to have some lunch, a good vantage point to scan the Res. Whilst scoffing, the Subalpine began to call and gave excellent views, I noticed the Tern flying along the lake shore when I got out of the car to put stuff in the boot. Usual cracker.
Continuing along the main road for a further 1km towards Oropesa another Black winged Kite was hunting west of the road. In what looked like prairie a further 8km on another Black winged Kite was sat on a roadside fence post. Near a small pond to the west of the road, within sight of Oropesa, another Black winged Kite was hovering over the road.
I continued south to Saucedilla Marsh and saw Purple Heron 2, Night Heron 1,Spoonbill 1, Marsh Harrier 4, Montagu’s Harrier 2m, Purple Gallinule 10, Savi’s Warbler 2, Spanish Sparrow 2+. Overnight in Trujillo at the Melia Hotel pre-booked on the internet in the UK. (473km Driven)
Tuesday 30th March Checked a SIE site on my way to Monfrague NP, not occupied. I was very lucky to find a Black Wheatear whilst scanning Penafalcon, I presumed it would be a Black Redstart/Blue Rock Thrush, so with little expectation I put my scope on the distant bird. Despite the distance I had great views for approx. ten minutes. A Black Stork was in the expected cave at Penafalcon stood on it’s nest. Also present were Griffon Vulture 60+, Blue Rock Thrush 1, Rock Bunting 1+, Chough 2. I continued further into Monfrague NP, Site 4 in Muddeman, stopping at the Rio Tajo for distant views of Alpine Swift 1+, also Crag Martin 50+, Red Rumped Swallow 5, Short Toed Eagle 2. Mirador de la Trajilla held up to Egyptian Vulture 5, Subalpine Warbler a pair, Hawfinch 1, Griffon Vulture 10. At Mirador de la Bascula I failed to spot the distant SIE nesting area, though I did see Black Vulture 4+, Hawfinch 1, Booted Eagle 2, Short Toed Eagle 1, Spoonbill 5 migrating over! After stopping at Portilla del Tietar for a short while, I heard an unfamiliar call, a Spanish Imperial Eagle flew into view and proceeded to fly around for half an hour, circling with the vultures and landing on the rocks at one point. What a bird. Also present were Peregrine 1+, Griffon Vulture 30+, Subalpine Warbler 1m. I continued along the road NE out of the park where the dehesa habitat is still mostly excellent and added Red Kite 5, Woodchat Shrike 5, Serin lots, Short Toed Treecreeper 5+, Hoopoe. After this I returned along the same road to Mirador de la Trajilla to raptor watch and wait for dusk. Egyptian Vulture 2 and Hawfinch 8 being the highlights. I arrived at Portilla del Tietar at 8.20pm. A Male Blue Rock Thrush, Hawfinch 2, Raven 2 presented themselves and a Black Stork flew upstream. The Spanish Imperial Eagle was still flying around calling right up to 9pm. At 9.05pm the Eagle Owl began calling and despite much scanning of the rocks I couldn’t pick it out at all, though did glimpse it as it flew off, hardly satisfactory. Overnight Trujillo (216km Driven)
Wednesday 31st March I drove to the Belen Plains (Site 12 Muddeman) first thing, which did not disappoint. Lesser Kestrel 2, Great Bustard 22, Little Bustard 69, Montagu’s Harrier 3m, Little Owl 1, Thekla Lark 30+, Corn Bunting 200+, Green Sandpiper 1. It was actually quite hot now, but I decided to press on to the road off the main Trujillo- Caceres road, to Santa Marta de Magasca, then SW back towards the main road (Site 10 Muddeman) This produced Little Bustard 10, Azure Winged Magpie 40+, Red Kite 6, Short Toed Eagle 1, Great Spotted Cuckoo 2, Sardinian Warbler 5+, Black Kite 30+, Lapwing 8, Montagu’s Harrier 9m+5f, Rock Sparrow 2, Calandra Lark 20+, Black Eared Wheatear 3, Black Vulture 7, Griffon Vulture 10 and a Black Winged Kite just east of SM de Magasca. Black Bellied Sandgrouse was sadly only heard that day.
I then decided to give the Eagle Owl another go at dusk at Portilla del Tietar so drove back to Monfrague NP. At PDT a Black Stork drifted downstream again, and the Eagle Owl began calling bang on time. The call seemed clearer and stronger than last night, no wonder as it was sitting on the highest piece of rock in full view, great scope views had before another bird began calling from the rocks and the other flew up stream. Deer, Red Fox and Iberian Hare seen on the drive home. Overnight Trujillo (Plenty Km Driven)
Thursday 1st April I drove towards Monroy from Trujillo (Site 11 Muddeman) stopping to watch Little Bustard 2 about a kilometer past point 6 on Muddeman’s map. About 200yrds further on 4 Sandgrouse flew up and were joined by another 6. They circled and by watching carefully where they landed, I was able to scope the Black Bellied Sandgrouse 10 walking around on the ground, admittedly at some distance. Great. Continuing along the road to Monroy I saw Montagu’s Harrier 10+, Red Kite 6, Calandra Lark 60+, Thekla Lark 10+, Meadow Pipit 40+, Corn Bunting 100.
I decided to retrace my steps then, as the habo looked better around the 7 to 6 mark on Muddeman’s map and it was pouring with rain. A group of Little Bustard 13 , flew over.
Whilst watching those a couple of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse flew over calling, then a large group of bird got up in the distance Pin-tailed Sandgrouse 50 Fantastic! (Area 6).
Another two groups of Little Bustards 24+17 were seen in the area, as was a Black Winged Kite being mobbed by a Buzzard heading back to Monroy. A Cirl Bunting just a few kms from Monroy and a couple of Booted Eagles were noted as the weather again improved.
Going on gen from another trip report available on the surfbird website, I drove to a site near Campillo de Deleitosa for Black Wheatear. No sign at the site, however as I was slowly driving away a few hundred yards away a female Black Wheatear flew up from the side of the road and gave excellent views for about 10 minutes.
As time allowed, I decided to go up to Saucedilla Marsh and have another go at connecting with Little Bittern. No luck with them, however I did see Night Heron 1, Purple Heron 4, Savi’s Warbler 2, Purple Gallinule 8, White Stork 20+, Fan Tailed Warbler 4 and Marsh Harrier 1.
I then returned towards Trujillo and went to the Belen Plains which produced Great Bustard 11 inc 2m displaying, Little Bustard 54, Calandra Lark 30+, Montagu’s Harrier 3m. Overnight Trujillo (Driven 254km)
Friday 2nd April This was the day that the weather changed and spring finally kicked in. I had enjoyed birding Monfrague NP enormously, and as most of my target birds had fallen I decided to go back and enjoy some more birding there. Penafalcon provided Black Stork 3, Peregrine 1, Griffon Vulture 50, Black Redstart 1, Blue Rock Thrush 3m. Further on in the park Subalpine Warbler 4, Rock Bunting 2, Woodchat Shrike 8, Black eared Wheatear 1, Short Toed Eagle 3, Booted eagle 1, Black Vulture 10, Dartford Warbler 1, Egyptian Vulture 3, Red Rumped Swallow 15, House Martin 150 and Hawfinch 6 all vied for my attention. A good morning.
I then went to the west of Trujillo for about 3pm to bird site 11 in Muddeman, it was pretty hot so it was fairly quiet. A group of Little Bustard 7 were hiding in some thistles, other highlights were, Montagu’s Harrier 9, Great Spotted Cuckoo 1, Lesser Kestrel 6, Calandra Lark 25+, Black Eared Wheatear 1m and Red Kite 1. I headed back to Trujillo and stopped at a small lake on the road into town from Caceres. It held Black Winged Stilt 12, Green Sandpiper 2, Little Grebe 2 and Booted Eagle 1.
The fish ponds mentioned in Muddeman near the Bullring in Trujillo held a solitary Black Winged Stilt. The Bullring itself is a great place to watch the Lesser Kestrels, fantastic views. Overnight Trujillo. (Driven 240kms)
Saturday 3rd April First stop on the drive south was Embalse de Sierra Brava (Site 17 Muddeman). It was very misty when I arrived at the crack of dawn. But it lifted quickly, revealing Black necked Grebe 10, GC Grebe 30, Shoveler 150, Tufted Duck 15, Pintail 2m, BW Stilt 2, Gull Billed Tern 1, Common Sand 5, Bee Eater 3. The latter, proof positive that migrants were on the move in the now settled fine weather.
At Madrigalejo just to the south, I tried a track off to the west of the main road (No3 in Muddeman). This held Green Sandpiper 6, Collared Pratincole 3, Bee Eater 2, Red Avadavat 12, Common Waxbill 6, Hoopoe and Cetti’s Warbler. At the bridge where the road crosses the Rio Ruecos I heard Penduline Tit 2, Reed Warbler 1, Sardinian Warbler 2 and flushed Green Sandpiper 2.
Around area 8 of site 17 Muddeman I saw Greenshank 6, Cattle Egret 50, Little Egret 10.
A real stroke of luck just south of Madrigalejo as I was driving through a wheat(?) field area, I heard a Quail calling. I turned the car round and drove up to the spot where I thought it might be. Within seconds, it emerged from the crops to stand at the side of the road calling, before flying off over the main road. A real advert for driving along with your car window open, more of which later. The same trick certainly got me a couple of Nightingales nr Gerena NE of Seville later that day, before I arrived at El Rocio, Coto Donana in the late afternoon.
Being the weekend El Rocio was busy, though I still had no trouble getting a room at the Hotel Toruno, which other birders had recommended, and overlooks the El Rocio lagoon with lots of birds on. In the couple of hours before nightfall I still managed to see Bee Eater 2, Greater Flamingo 200+, Collared Pratincole 10, Spoonbill 10, Avocet 50+, Black T Godwit 3, Garganey 1m, Booted Eagle 1, Marbled Teal 2, Marsh Harrier 1f, and Griffon Vulture 3 at the El Rocio lagoon, and Red crested Pochard 5+,Whiskered Tern 30+, Purple Gallinule 2, Squacco Heron 1, Bee Eater 10+ at the hide trail in the reserve. Overnight El Rocio (Driven 436kms)
Sunday 4th April Breakfast in the hotel was really good and set me up for the day. A look at the lagoon before moving on produced a similar collection of good birds to the previous evening plus Glossy Ibis 2. I walked the hide trail near the NP information centre, which produced Tree Sparrow 4+, Savi’s Warbler 1, Whiskered Tern 35, Purple Gallinule 6, Nightingale 4+, Squacco Heron 1. En route to Villamanrique de la Condesa I stopped at a bridge over a river for a quick scan and picked up a couple of Spotted Redshank and LR Plover 4.
An even more fortuitous stop was shortly after I stopped to watch a flock of Collared Pratincole 70 hawking over a field and sitting on the road (as if that wasn’t fantastic enough. They really blew me away). A small piece of marsh, a couple of hundred yards further on, right next to the road was teeming with birds. Wood Sandpiper 31, Temmincks Stint 10, Green Sandpiper 7, Ruff 49, Spotted Redshank 1, Greenshank 7, Redshank 8, BW Stilt 30+, Black T Godwit 2, Spoonbill 1. Fantastic. I watched them from the car for probably two hours, a wonderful flock.
On my way to the Jose Antonio Valverde centre, which is a bit of a pain to get to, but worth the effort, I saw Kentish Plover 10, Black T Godwit 20, Purple Gallinule 30+, Yellow L Gull 1, Gull billed Tern 18, Short Toed Lark 120 +, Lesser Short T Lark 1, Marsh Harrier 1f en route. Once I had reached the centre I saw Great Reed Warbler 1, Purple Heron 75+, Glossy Ibis 85+, Red C Pochard 12+, Collared Pratincole 12, Booted Eagle 1. (A map of how to get to the JV centre is available from the NP office at La Rocina.)
Just prior to reaching the JV centre at the beginning of the large lake it sits on, I came across Crested Coot 2 one of which had a neck tag, also in this area was a Squacco Heron and Black Swan 2. On my way back from the centre this area held Crested Coot 3 all were un-ringed.
The only other birds of note on the dusty track back to the ‘main road’ were Wood Sandpiper 5 and Green Sandpiper 2. A changing of the guard had occurred at the productive wader marsh of the morning, with Wood Sandpiper 40, Green Sandpiper 12, Greenshank 10, Temminck’s Stint 2, BW Stilt 60, Ruff 35+, Snipe 2, Ringed Plover 2 now present.
The lagoon at El Rocio again provided a pleasant last hour of birding with the Whiskered Terns fishing close by and Greater Flamingoes wandering about. It was a nice way to end a great day. Overnight El Rocio (Driven 180kms).
Monday 5th April The lagoon began where it left off yesterday with Glossy Ibis 1, Black T Godwit 40, Avocet 50, Whiskered Tern 6, Bee Eater 2+, Spoonbill 35, Red C Pochard 10. El Acebuche provided me with more of the latter and Savi’s Warbler 2, Subalpine Warbler 2, Hoopoe being the highlights. I decided to explore Mazagon harbour in search of a few padders, and found Sandwich Tern 40, Yellow L Gull 6. With most of the birds I could hope for in the area under the belt, I decided to drive round the Rio Guadalquivir to look for a few species more easily seen on the east side of the river/NP, stopping off at the wader marsh from yesterday en route. It still held a very creditable Temminck’s Stint 3, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Wood Sandpiper 30+, Greenshank 15, BW Stilt 40+, Green Sandpiper 1.
The drive round is a bit of a pain, but once you’ve negotiated Seville, the road south is a fast and easy drive. The appropriately named Salinas de Bonanza is mentioned in WTWB S&W Spain Garcia and Patterson and is easy enough to find.
As I arrived in the early afternoon and had no idea about tides/water levels etc, I was taking pot luck really, the heat haze was a problem with several groups of waders visible though impossible to identify due to the haze. An early morning visit might be best. Never the less I did connect with Slender Billed Gull 130+ (almost all on one pit, check them all!) Kentish Plover 15+, Dunlin 400+, Little Stint 2+, Curlew Sandpiper 4+, Red Crested Pochard 10+, Common Sandpiper 15+, Greater Flamingo 300+, Avocet 100+
Laguna de Tarelo close by held one of the targets of the trip, White headed Duck 22, and they didn’t disappoint. They stuck to the edges of the lagoon and performed very well for the assembled Spanish audience in the hide and myself. Also Night Heron 2, Marbled Duck 1, Red C Pochard 30, Bee Eater 20. I continued north through the woods on the rough track, emerging on the road adjacent to the canal. I noticed two large raptors and pulled over to take a look, they both looked so dark at a glance that I was not too surprised to see they were both Spanish Imperial Eagles, what a stroke of luck, an adult and a third year bird. They glided around on the thermals for about 10mins then floated off east. The track to Salinas de Monte Aldaida was a shimmering sight, and I knew that looking for waders there was going to prove very difficult, so I decided to give it a miss, (Dowitcher sp and Marsh Sandpiper were seen here on the same day later in the spring) and continued along the road that followed the Rio Guadalquivir bank. A whole series of marshes and lagoons are present and would have merited further investigation had time allowed. But stopping and scanning from the car in the searing heat was still productive. Greater Flamingo 200+,Black Tailed Godwit, Subalpine Warbler 1m, Avocet 50+, Glossy Ibis 5, Marbled Teal 2, Spoonbill 1, Ruff 10, Collared Pratincole 80+, Spectacled Warbler 1 ( I had almost given up on this falling it proved very difficult), Fan T Warbler lots.
The lagoon at El Rocio held the usual excellent range of birds and with new arrivals pitching up all the time it really is a great spot. Overnight El Rocio (Driven 508kms)
Tuesday 6th April A last look at the El Rocio lagoon produced Spoonbill 48, Red crested Pochard 12, Avocet 40+, Black Winged Stilt 70+, Whiskered Tern 2, Ruff 2, White Stork 2, Greater Flamingo 100+. I thought a trip to the coast at Matalascanas Playa, might produce a few trip ticks and it did, Sanderling 35, Gannet 2, Razorbill 2, Kentish Plover 1, Yellow Legged Gull 6+, Sandwich Tern 50, LBB Gull 40+. Half an hour at La Rocina produced Bee Eater 2+, Glossy Ibis 13, Wood Sandpiper 10, Purple Gallinule 6, Whiskered Tern 100 and Hoopoe amongst the highlights, with a fantastically approachable group of Bee Eater 12 close by.
I paid one last visit to the small piece of marsh ‘near’ (actually c.20kms away) Villamanrique de la Candesa. It held Wood Sandpiper 20, Green Sandpiper 6, Temminck’s Stint 7, Greenshank 7, Spotted Redshank 1, Collared Pratincole 30+, Curlew Sandpiper 2, BW Stilt 60, Ruff 40, LR Plover 2, White Stork 30+.
The drive north back toward Trujillo was largely uneventful, seeing Bee Eater, Red Rumped Swallow and Lesser Kestrel along the way. Just before my turn off towards the Madrigalejo rice fields, I spotted a Roller sitting on some roadside wires. Unfortunately it was quite a busy road and stopping was difficult. I would advise caution, if anybody needs to stop by the side of the road, as you may find the police taking an interest. Make sure you park completely off the highway.
The Madrigalejo rice fields were very quiet as it was very hot, so a couple of singing Nightingales and Cetti’s Warblers was the best to be had. Embalse de Sierra Brava had Black necked Grebe 3, GC Grebe 12, Coot 12, BH Gull 10.
On reaching Trujillo I booked into the Hotel Las Ciguenas, and drove to the Belen Plains scanning from the road from 6.40 – 9.00pm, which produced Great Bustard 27, Little Bustard 8, Lesser Kestrel 8, Calandra Lark 12+, Little Owl 5, Hoopoe 2, Griffon Vulture 1, Red Kite 1, Stone Curlew 2+3H, Montagu’s Harrier 1, Cattle Egret 150+, Tawny Pipit 1, Spanish Sparrow 6, White Stork 10, Great Spt Cuckoo 2. Overnight Trujillo (Driven 512kms)
Wednesday 7th April I drove the road north of Trujillo towards Monroy (Muddeman Site 11, 1-7. At point 6 I saw a few Pin tailed Sandgrouse flying around, so stopped the car at the side turning, I could hear them calling as soon as I stopped the car. Something spooked the birds and they all got up at once, I could not believe how many there were, it was quite an amazing sight and sound, at least 102 Pin tailed Sandgrouse. WOW. It took some time for any of the birds to settle and they were a fair distance away. Most flew off to the west or landed out of view. But I watched one group settle in view and got scope views of 25+ on the ground. I knew it would be hard to better that, but I saw Roller 1, Spanish Sparrow 60+, Black Vulture (down to 40ft on the ground!!), Little Bustard 1, Woodchat Shrike 2, Montagu’s Harrier 2m, Black Eared Wheatear 2, Crested Lark lots, Southern Grey Shrike 2, Red Rumped Swallow 2, White Stork 10 in the area too. A further group of Little Bustard 3 was also seen a bit after point 7, as usual hiding in the thistles.
A short stop at the bridge over the Rio Magasca produced Hawfinch and a few Crag Martins and Red Rumped Swallows. The drive south produced Woodlark, Serin, Hoopoe and Azure winged Magpie .Site 10 in Muddeman area 5-10 produced, Montagu’s Harrier 5, Little Bustard 3, Calandra Lark, Woodchat Shrike 6, Quail H, Pin tailed Sandgrouse H and a Red Kite. Just north of this area, along the CC-912, Roller 3 were inspecting the nest boxes, with Short Toed Eagles 2 nearby. A brief look at Embalse de Talavan in the heat of the day produced Peregrine 1, GC Grebe 10, Little Grebe 2, Gadwall 10, Red Rumped Swallow 1. Very quiet. On the road to Torrejon el Rubio raptors were the order of the day, Booted Eagle 2, Short T Eagle 1, Griffon Vulture 12, Black Vulture 2+, Buzzard 1, Black Kite 8, seen in quick succession.
Another foray up to Saucedilla Marsh failed to produce the hoped for Little Bittern, though Purple Heron 1, Lesser Kestrel 10, Purple Gallinule 2, Bee Eater 5, Crested Lark 4, White Stork 20, Kingfisher 1, Griffon Vulture 4+ and Savi’s Warbler 1 performing extremely well, was some compensation. Also a Great Spt Cuckoo just north of the marsh.
I approached Monfrague NP from the NE stopping to watch a couple of Booted Eagles nearby. Another moment for driving around with your car window down to pay off. I stopped to watch Rock Sparrow 2 just inside the park and a few other birds including Bee Eater 20, though felt that I was perhaps losing a bit of time stopping so much, and decided to hurry on, but heard an unfamiliar call as I was driving through the dehesa. I stopped and turned round, to my surprise it was an Orphean Warbler belting out a sort of ‘Chego chego chego’ call, almost Great Tit like but not? Whilst I was watching this bird I heard something tapping in the tree above me and assumed it must be a tit or such like and paid it no mind until the warbler had disappeared. When I investigated it was a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 1f, rather pleasing in lots of ways, not a common sight in Lincolnshire, and a bird that I had not seen anywhere for some time. Deciding that I may have missed something else in my haste, I retraced my steps a km or so and found another Orphean Warbler, again on it’s distinctive call. Great. Mirador de Bascula had plenty of Griffon Vultures and Subalpine Warbler 1m, Egyptian Vulture 1, Booted Eagle 1. Miradao de Bascula was quite busy with people and when I rolled up, I noticed a German and Spanish couple debating what they had just seen, Booted Eagle. Two raptors caught my eye off to the left of the viewpoint, one of which was a Black Kite, the other was a Spanish Imperial Eagle. I went over and told them, the German girl said ‘you have made all my dreams come true’. An image of Jimmy Saville flashed through my head! If only everything was that easy! The Spanish Imperial Eagle floated around for about 20 minutes. Fantastic. Another Booted Eagle at the Rio Tajo. Overnight Trujillo (Driven 300kms)
Thursday 8th April I had seen most of the goodies I could hope for in the Trujillo area, so decided to give Valle Del Jerte a go (Site 2 Muddeman). I headed north through Monfrague
NP having a final look at this excellent NP. A Black Stork was on its nest at Penafalcon, Griffon Vultures 50+ circled with a male Blue Rock Thrush singing away, Egyptian Vulture on the nest at Mirador de la Trajilla, Red Rumped Swallow 4+and a Black Eared Wheatear seen close by. A final present from the park, a Turtle Dove landed on the road through the pines near Mirador de Bascula, a sign that more migrants were on the way, ones that I had hoped I might see, but all birders want more. They would have to wait for another trip.
The fastest way to Valle Del Jerte is on the main road via Plasencia. I went the more direct route on the small roads. Whilst pleasant, it probably lost me a fair amount of time. I did see Black Stork 2 en route, before taking the steep road up to Puerto de Honduras. Many of the birds were, as others have commented, rather as you would expect in the UK, though Booted Eagle 1, Rock Bunting 6+ and Spotless Starling 20+ were evidence to the contary.
Another example of car window down, ears open, paid off with another unfamiliar call turning out to be a cracking Male Rock Thrush. I had hoped that some migrants might have arrived in this area Ortolan etc, but it became obvious early on that I was too early for flycatchers and Orioles, so the Rock Thrush came as a very pleasant surprise. I watched it for 10mins singing from a large platform piece of rock. A fantastic bird. I saw Dartford Warbler 2, Cirl Bunting 1 and Woodlark 40+ on the way down.
Sierra De Gredos was my next stop, though I didn’t go right to the top as it was a bank holiday and the area was packed. I did manage to see Skylark 2, Rock Bunting 4+, Grey Wagtail 2, Crow 4+, Crag Martin lots. I was very lucky to see Water Pipit 1 on the way back down in a water meadow, I thought this one had got away. Also Booted Eagle 1, Short T Treecreeper 1, and Green Woodpecker 1. No hoped for Firecrest.
Embalse De Navalcan was quiet bird wise, though had lots of fishermen trying their luck.
Bee Eater 2, Crag Martin lots, GC Grebe 4, LBB Gull 5 and some very showy Serins 10 were the highlights.
I decided to give Embalse de Azutan (Muddeman site 4) another go and went to area 3-4 which produced a couple of Marsh Harriers patrolling the reed beds though little else.
Drove from here to Tres Cantos. Overnight Express by Holiday Inn Tres Cantos. (Driven 605kms)
Friday 9th April My last day and I knew it would be a long one. Up very early to make sure that I was at Ermita de San Frutos slightly before dawn. It is a difficult area to cover and the Dupont’s Larks use guerilla warfare, tactical knowledge of their terrain to avoid detection.
I kid you not.
I heard one bird singing distantly after about half an hour of listening. I got reasonably close to it then it went quiet. It began singing from the other side of a huge ravine some five minutes later. It took another 15-20 minutes for me to track down another singing bird. I traced it to an area where I hoped it could not move without detection, and made for a helpful bolder to stand on. It called again, surely I must be standing on it, it was so loud. I saw the bird, a dark shape, run between tufts of grass. Probably the best I could hope for.
It’s no wonder lots of people don’t see it, they are too busy trying not to fall over the bl**dy stones. Also Blue Rock Thrush 1m, Calandra Lark 2 and Griffon Vulture 20.
Embalse de Pedrezuela was quiet with Griffon Vulture 10+ and Booted Eagle 1 the highlights.
Embalse de Santillana was even quieter with Common Sandpiper 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Serin 6, White Stork 6 and a few Crag Martins being the only birds of note.
A drive into the mountains proved hard work as most of Madrid had decided to do the same on the B. Hol. I stopped at several places looking for Firecrest without success, seeing Dipper at the usual bridge. A bit further on I stopped at Mirador de la Robeldos on the M604. I heard
a Firecrest straight away and eventually saw it well. I stopped at the entrance to the road up to the Mirador and had another couple of Firecrest singing and giving good views. I then drove back through the traffic to Tres Cantos to have something to eat at Mc Do**lds. As in common with most of the trip I was to be lucky. In a couple of weedy little bushes right outside the McD in Tres Cantos I noticed a warbler, I had seen Blackcap and Chiffchaff locally before, but I could hardly believe my eyes, there was a Wood Warbler feeding in the bushes, it was there for about a minute before flying off. Magic.
After eating I drove back to Madrid and Charmartin Station in the north of the city, passing over a railway bridge guarded by a soldier, a reminder of the times we live in. (Driven 416km)
I dropped the car off, having driven 5009kms, it felt like it. After working out how/what to do with the car/keys as the office and yard were both shut due to the bank holiday, I waited a short while before boarding the overnight train to Paris, which left on time at 1900hrs. It had been very sunny, though cold all day, but just half an hour into the journey we passed through a blizzard, a reminder of the weather I found on arrival in Spain. The last bird seen in Spain appropriately a White Stork. Dinner on the train at 8pm.
202 species including ones heard and 3 in France. Well, if I had gone to Spain on the boat they would be in the report so why not!
Saturday 10th April I was up early to look at the familiar grey clouds of France, the only person in the dining car in fact. The train pulled into Paris on time, and I got the Metro to Gare Du Nord in plenty of time for my Eurostar to Waterloo, which also left and arrived on time in a chilly but sunny Blighty. The journey along the east coast mainline was quick and familiar returning me to Lincolnshire and home. I was very tired but it had been a fantastic trip.
Travel
I decided to travel to Madrid by train. Traveling to London to catch the Eurostar at Waterloo for Paris Gare d’Nord. I crossed Paris by Metro to Gare d’ Austerlitz where the daily overnight sleeper train took me to Madrid in some comfort. It takes just over 13 hours to travel from Paris to Madrid, albeit in a very comfy bed. I booked my trip through Rail Europe who were efficient. As a rule, the earlier you book your trip the cheaper your tickets are likely to be. (If traveling from outside London as I did, you may be able to get a discount on your ticket to London because you are traveling on the Eurostar. GNER for example, have a dedicated team to deal with such passengers and offer a good discount on tickets to London) Obviously this is not the way to travel if you are going out there for the weekend, but if you have a little more time it’s a great way to travel.
Flights to Madrid are available from many UK airports and no frills carriers offer flights very cheaply, the best deals are generally available on the internet.
Car Hire
I pre-booked a car with Hertz on the internet and collected it from their office at Charmartin Railway Station. Collection was quick and hassle free. The Ford Focus that I hired was the cheapest available with air con. which I would recommend as it did get very hot on occasion.
Watch out for the Guardia Civil, they are everywhere, and if you don’t drive sensibly they will catch up with you. Stopping on motorway/roads with solid white lines at the side is not permitted, find somewhere to pull off the road completely if you have to stop. See the advice in J.Muddeman’s book.
That said driving is relatively hassle free and away from Madrid and large towns traffic isn’t very heavy.
Driving to and from Donana took me about 5 hours. The journey is quite boring with little to distract you. Improvements were being made along this route when I was there and further stretches of motorway are likely to make the journey time even shorter, as chunks of the route are still two-way roads through towns at present.
Accommodation
I booked the Express by Holiday Inn in Tres Cantos on the internet prior to my arrival for my first two nights, to allow enough time to hopefully get to grips with most of my targets in Sierra de Guadarrama and Ermita de San Frutos, both of which are within driving distance. It was cheapest to book this at least 14 days in advance. 61 Euros a night with continental breakfast included.
I also booked the Melia Hotel in Trujillo on the internet for five nights at 88 Euros a night which was 50% off the standard rate, it was a fantastic hotel. Both this booking and the previous allowing me enough flexibility to change my itinerary if needed, which worked well given the poor weather on my arrival in Madrid, as I was able to come back to the area at the end of the trip. Again staying at the same hotel in Tres Cantos.
I turned up on spec at the Hotel Toruno in El Rocio, Donana, having read in a report somewhere that it was a good spot. Indeed it was, right on the El Rocio lagoon with birding from the room, let alone the doorstep. At 52 Euros a night it was good value and the breakfast was excellent. Décor of the hotel is very much bird orientated with pictures of a different species in every room.
On return to Trujillo I turned up on spec and stayed at the Hotel Las Ciguenas for 58 Euros a night, you may get this cheaper if pre-booked. It was ok but rather overpriced and the food was very expensive and not very good.
Food
I tended to have a picnic lunch and dinner, stocking up in supermarkets when time allowed.
Many of the reports about the area I read waxed lyrical about dining experiences, and at a different time of year when it is hotter, this would fit neatly into a siesta when bird activity drops. However when I visited the temperature was not a major factor most days and birds were active through the day.
Most eating establishments do not open at times we might expect in the UK. The Spanish prefer to eat late and this is mirrored in their opening hours usually 1pm for lunch and after 8pm for dinner.
Photos
Excellent opportunities can be had. I have yet to take the plunge into the world of digiscoping, but even with my more conventional set up I achieved some great pictures.
Weather
My first few days in Spain were very cold and wet, the average temperature for the end of March is apparently 16C, it was actually 3C and bitterly cold. It rained or snowed for these first few days more often than not. However, on 2nd April the weather changed overnight, Spring had arrived and so did lots of migrants. The weather was glorious from then to the end of the trip, with cobalt skies and temperatures in the low 20C region.
I had no major difficulties with heat haze except in the middle of the day at Donana, though could see how a trip later in the season might have presented a few problems in this regard in most areas visited.
Other birders
I saw very few other birders. I bumped into a couple of tour groups in the Trujillo area, one from the UK. Also a British couple in the Donana, but on the whole I was surprised at the lack of others, doubtless more are around later in the season.
Bird Reports
I looked on several internet sites including Surfbirds before I went and printed off several trip reports all of which had useful details in.
Books
A Birdwatching Guide to Extremadura by John Muddeman was recommended in several reports, and rightly so, it is an excellent aid for anyone planning a trip to the province.
Where to watch birds Southern and Western Spain and its counterpart dealing with N+E provided useful tips for sites to visit, around Donana and Madrid respectively.
The Collins Bird Guide – Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant is an excellent book, some birders may consider themselves above such assistance. I like reading through one of an evening on trips, mainly so I can dream about what I might see the next day!
My first birding trip abroad aged 14 was with Peter Grant, he was a great chap and a great encouragement to me, and many others.
Sound
I took a tape of a few species whose calls I was unfamiliar with/ thought a tape might be helpful, RN Nightjar (if in) etc. Unfortunately the car I hired only had a CD player, something I should have checked before I set off. I had recorded the tape off CD’s !!
As I have mentioned several times in this report, driving around with my window open led me to many birds, and is well worth considering. As you would expect at the time of year I visited, most birds are keen to announce their presence.
Species seen
Great Crested Grebe Embalse de Santillana 2 (28/3), Embalse de Pedrezuela 8 (28/3), Embalse de Navalcan 5 (29/3), Embalse de Rosorito 10+ (29/3), Saucedilla Marsh 1 (29/3) 2 (1/4), Embalse de Sierra Brava 30 (3/4) 12 (3/4), Lagoon at El Rocio 6 (4/4), Embalse de Talavan 10 (7/4).
Little Grebe Relatively common on small pools in the area surrounding Trujillo and in Donana.
Black-necked Grebe Embalse de Sierra Brava 10 (3/4) 3 (6/4)
Gannet Matalascanas Playa (6/4) 2 Adults flew east.
Great Cormorant Embalse de Navalcan (29/3) 22 (8/4) 20, Embalse de Rosario (29/3) 250+. Up to 5 were seen on my three visits to Saucedilla Marsh.
Night Heron Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 1 (1/4) 1, El Acebuche (5/4) 16, Laguna de Tarelo (5/4) 2.
Cattle Egret Common seen in most areas.
Squacco Heron Hide Trail Donana (3/4) 1 and (4/4) 1, JV Centre (4/4) 1.
Little Egret A few seen at Saucedilla Marsh on each visit and a few of the Embalses visited. Common in Donana.
Grey Heron Again a few at Saucedilla Marsh on each visit, with most Embalses having a few. Common in Donana.
Purple Heron Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 2, (1/4) 4, (7/4) 1, JV Centre Donana 75+ (4/4)
Black Stork Shortly after turning off the main road towards Embalse de Navalcan, you cross a river, I saw 2 birds here (29/3), Penafalcon (30/3) 1, (2/4) 3 and (8/4) 1, Portilla del Tietar (30/3) 1 flew along the river near dusk and (31/3) 1. East of Plasencia (8/4) 2.
White Stork Seen almost everywhere. What a fantastic bird.
Glossy Ibis Only in Donana. El Rocio lagoon (4/4) 2 (5/4) 1, JV Centre (4/4) 85+, North Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 5, La Rocina (6/4) 13.
Spoonbill Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 1, Mirador de Bascula (30/3) 5 migrating over, El Rocio lagoon (3/4) 10, (4/4) 15+, (5/4) 45 (6/4) 48. En route to the JV Centre (4/4) 6, North Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 1.
Greater Flamingo Good numbers seen in Donana.
“Black Swan” Near the JV Centre Donana (4/4) 2. This species is a cat. C sp. in Spain. Happily I have seen them in Australia.
Greylag Goose A flock of 250+ seen migrating north at Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) was unexpected.
Gadwall Embalse de Santillana (28/3) 46, Embalse de Pderezuela (28/3) 45, Belen Plains (31/3) 1, JV Centre (4/4) 50+, Northern Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 30+, El Rocio Lagoon (5/4) 30, (6/4) 4, Embalse de Talavan (7/4) 8.
Teal Embalse de Pedrezuela (28/3) 20, El Rocio Lagoon (3/4) 2.
Mallard Widespread and common.
Pintail Embalse de Sierra Brava (3/4) 2 males.
Garganey El Rocio lagoon (3/4) 1 male.
Shoveler Embalse de Santillana (28/3) 35, Embalse de Pedrezuela (28/3) 30, a small pool on the way from Emb. de Rosarito to Oropesa held (29/3) 8. Embalse de Sierra Brava held (3/4) 150, El Rocio lagoon (3-6/4) 30. En route to JV Centre (4/4) 50+. Embalse de Santillana (9/4) 6.
Marbled Duck El Rocio Lagoon (3/4) 2, Laguna de Tarelo (5/4) 1, roadside pool N of Laguna de Tarelo along the road following the Rio Guadalquivir (5/4) 2.
Red crested Pochard Hide trail Donana (3/4) 5+, El Rocio lagoon (4-6/4) 9-12, JV Centre (4/4) 12+, El Acebuche (5/4) 12+, Laguna de Tarelo (5/4) 30.
Pochard Donana only. Occurred in similar numbers and locations to the previous species.
Tufted Duck Embalse de Sierra Brava (3/4) 15+.
White Headed Duck Laguna de Tarelo (5/4) 22.
Black winged Kite North of Oropesa on CN5150 just south of Corchuela sitting on a telegraph pole (29/3) 1, a further 3 birds were seen between Embalse de Rosorio and Oropesa (29/3). Another bird just east of Sta Maria de Magasca (31/3) 1, a bird being mobbed by a Buzzard (Site 9 area 8 Muddeman) on the way to Monroy (1/4) 1. A famous site for this species N of Monroy is mentioned in many reports and Muddemans book. I chose not to visit it as I had seen a good number of this species.
Black Kite Easily the most common raptor of the trip. Seen in most areas, usually in numbers.
Red Kite Near Carchuela (29/3) 1, Belen Plains (31/3) 3 (6/4) 1, Road to Sta Marta de Magasca – Site 10 Muddeman area 1-2 (31/3) 6, area 5-10 (6/4) 2, Road to Monroy (Site 11) (1/4) 6, (2/4) 1, Saucedilla Marsh (1/4) 1, Monfrague NP (30/3) 2, (1/4) 1.
Egyptian Vulture Only seen in Monfrague NP or surrounding area, Mirador de la Trajadilla providing the majority of the sightings. With (30/3) 6+, (2/4) 3, (7/4) 3, (8/4) 1.
Griffon Vulture Seen in most areas visited, sometimes in groups of 60+. An impressive bird.
Black Vulture A couple of birds in Sierra de Navacerrada (27/3), Monfrague NP and the surrounding area provided reasonable numbers and excellent views with (30/3) 4+, (31/3) 7+, (1/4) 4+, (2/4) 10, (7/4) 3+. The area around Sta Marta de Magasca proving particularly reliable.
Short toed Eagle Mirador de Bascula (30/3) 1, Rio Tajo (30/3) 2, Sta Marta de Magasca (31/3) 1, Mirador del Tietar (1/4) 1, +1 en route to the NP. Nr Torrejon el Rubio (1+7/4) 1, Monfrague NP (7/4) 1.
Marsh Harrier Near Alcolea de Tajo (29/3) 1m, Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 3m+1f and (1/4) 1m, El Rocio (3/4) 1f, (4/4) 1f, on the way to the JV centre (4/4) 1f, Embalse de Azutan (8/4) 2f.
Hen Harrier Only bird seen was a Male from the Eurostar in Northern France (26/3).
Montagu’s Harrier Just N of Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 2m, Belen Plains (31/3) 3m, (1/4) 3m, (6/4) 1m, road to the SE of Sta Marta de Magasca (31/3) 9m+5f, Muddeman site 11- road to Monroy (1/4) 10+ (2/4) 4m+5f, (7/4) 2m, just south of Madrigalejo (3/4) 1m, area 5-6 of Muddeman site 10 produced (7/4) 6.
Sparrowhawk Near Navacerrada (27/3) 1 and Portilla del Tietar.
Common Buzzard Sierra de Navacerrada provided a couple of birds (27+28/3), and 2-6 birds were seen most days in the Trujillo area. A few birds were also noted in the Donana area and Valle de Jerte N of Monfrague NP.
Spanish Imperial Eagle A bird flew around at Portilla del Tietar in Monfrague NP for half an hour allowing good views (30/3). In Donana, just north of Pinar de Monte Algaida (p114 WtWBSWS) saw (5/4) 2 birds ad + 3rd yr bird, circling for 10 mins. Another bird in Monfrague NP at Mirador de Bascula (7/4) 1.
Golden Eagle After my stop at 29km on M611, I drove on a bit further up and saw a sub-adult (27/3) 1, being mobbed by two Ravens.
Booted Eagle Monfrague NP produced 1 drk ph at Mirador de Bascula (30/3) with a pale ph. bird there on (2/4), one of each phase was seen here on (7/4), bridge over the Rio Tajo (30/3+7/4) 1 pale ph. Another pale ph. bird just outside the NP on (2/4+7/4). Muddeman site 11 area 1 produced (1/4) 2 pale ph. Just SW of Trujillo (2/4) pale ph. 1. Lagoon at El Rocio (3/4) 1 Pale ph. JV centre (4/4) 1 Pale ph. Nr Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 1 Pale ph. Nr Terrejon el Rubio (7/4) 2 Pale Ph. Valle del Jerte (8/4) 1 pale ph. Embalse de Pedrezuela (9/4) 1 pale ph.
Osprey I felt very sorry for the bird I saw at Embalse de Pedrezuela (28/3) as it was lashing it down, another at Embalse de Navalcan (29/3).
Lesser Kestrel I stayed in the centre of Trujillo from 29th Mar. for five nights, and this sp. was a pleasantly common sight through out the town. Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 6, (7/4) 10, Belen Plain (31/3) 2m, (6/4) 8, Trujillo at the bullring (2/4) 20+, well worth a visit of an evening, the birds put on a fantastic aerial show. Site 11 Muddeman (2/4) 6+, Nr Madrigalejo (6/4) 1.
Kestrel En route to Sepulveda (27/3) 1, nr Sta Marta de Magasca (31/3) 1, Belen Plain (1/4) 2. A lot of birds probably of this species, were seen along the roadside or places were it was not possible to stop and clarify id, which probably explains the lack of confirmed records above.
Merlin A bird was seen from the road between Trujillo and Monroy. It was unfortunately a very brief glimpse (1/4) 1.
Peregrine Only seen in Monfrague NP and surrounding area. At Portilla del Tietar (30/3) 1, Penafalcon (1/4) 1 and Embalse de Talavan (7/4) 1.
Red legged Partridge Frequently seen and heard in most areas around Trujillo and at Ermita de San Frutos.
Quail Just south of Madrigalejo (3/4), I heard a bird whilst driving along, I drove back to the approximate spot to find the bird stood just out of the crop field on the road calling away. Views just don’t get any better than that. Another bird was heard at Muddeman site 10 approx area 7 (7/4).
Water Rail Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 1 and 4H.
Common Moorhen Seen in all suitable sites visited, such as Saucedilla Marsh. Also common in Donana.
Purple Swamphen Seen at Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 10, (1/4) 8, (7/4) 2. Present in almost every suitable location in Donana and in good numbers.
Coot Embalse de Santillana + de Pedrezuela both held up to (27/3) 20, as did Saucedilla Marsh on my three visits and Embalse de Sierra Brava. There were similar numbers at several places in Donana, such as the El Rocio lagoon and JV centre.
Red knobbed Coot Only seen just prior to the JV centre, at the beginning of the lagoon the centre sits on. A small sub station was present to the left of the road with a wire crossing over the road, I saw 2 birds on my way to the centre here, 1 with a neck tag. I saw 3 untagged birds on the return journey at the same spot. (4/4)
Little Bustard Belen Plains produced (31/3) 69, (1/4) 54, (6/4) 8, Muddeman site 10 area 1+2 had (31/3) 11, area 6 (7/4) 3. Mudde. Site 11 (1/4) 38, (2/4) 7+, (7/4) 4. This species loves patches of thistles, check them all in suitable areas.
Great Bustard Only seen on the Belen Plains. (31/3) 22, (1/4) 11, (6/4) 27.
Black winged Stilt A small lake SW of Trujillo held (2/4) 12, the fishponds near Trujillo bullring had (2/4) 1. Embalse de Sierra Brava (3/4) 2. Common in Donana.
Avocet Only seen in Donana. Almost all at the El Rocio lagoon and N. of Bonanza Salinas 40-60 birds. With a few seen elsewhere in the park at roadside stops.
Stone Curlew Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) 2, Mudde. Site 11 Area 6-7 (1/4) 1H, Belen Plains (6/4) 2+3H.
Collared Pratincole Madrigalejo, Muddeman site 17 area 3 (3/4) 3, El Rocio lagoon (3/4) 10, (5/4) 1. Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la Condesa – from Villamanrique de la Condesa follow signs to Isla Mayor, past a sign to Laguna de San Lazaro after 3.8kms. Ignore signs to JV centre. On the right after 7.7kms you come to a T junction, turn left. After 10.4kms a small roadside marsh is present on the left of the road, power lines cross over the road and marsh. I saw (4/4) 70+, (6/4) 30+ feeding over the road just before the marsh. I was completely blown away by them, what a sight. I then stumbled upon probably the best flock of waders I’ve seen in Europe. (See below) Also JV centre (4/4) 12, N of Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 70+.
Little Ringed Plover Embalse de Pedrezuela (28/3) 1, El Rocio lagoon (4/4) 2, from bridge over river en route to Villamanrique (4/4) 4, El Acebuche (5/4) 4, Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la Condesa (6/4) 2.
Ringed Plover Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la Condesa (4/4) 2, El Rocio lagoon (5/4) 12+ (6/4) 10+, Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 200+.
Kentish Plover En route to the JV centre (4/4) 10 in a flooded field, Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 50+, Matalascanas Playa (6/4)1.
Lapwing Only seen at Mudde. Site 10 area 1 (31/3) 8, west of Trujillo.
Sanderling Matalascanas Playa (6/4) 35.
Little Stint Only at Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 2+.
Temminck’s Stint Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la Condesa (4/4) 10, (5/4) 3, (6/4) 7.
Curlew Sandpiper Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la Condesa (5+6/4) 2, Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 4+. Had the light been better at the latter site, more may have been seen.
Dunlin Only noted at the El Rocio lagoon (4-6/4) up to 100 and Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 400+.
Ruff Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la Condesa (4/4) 49, (6/4) 40, N. of Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 10, El Rocio lagoon (5/4) 100+ (6/4) 2+.
Common SnipeAlong riverside near Embalse de Navalcan (29/3) 1 flushed, Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 6. Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la Condesa (5/4) 2.
Black tailed Godwit El Rocio Lagoon (3/4) 16, (5/4) 40, Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la Condesa (4/4) 2, En route to JV centre (4/4) 20+, N. of Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 40+.
Bar tailed Godwit El Rocio lagoon (3/4) 3.
Spotted Redshank Donana only. Bridge over river en route to Villamanrique de la Condesa (4/4) 2, and Marsh SE of same (4+6/4) 1.
Common Redshank Embalse de Pedrezuela (28/3) 1, Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 1, El Rocio lagoon (4/4) 7, (5/4) 10+, Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la C. (4/4) 8, (5/4) 10, (6/4) 4, N. of Bonanza Salinas (5/4) lots.
Greenshank Madrigalejo area just east of Los Guadalperales (3/4) 6, in Donana at El Rocio lagoon (4/4) 1, Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la C. (4/4) 7, (5/4) 15+, (6/4) 12.
Green Sandpiper North of Corchuela 5kms (29/3) 1 on a roadside pool, along riverside near Embalse de Navalcan (29/3) 1, Belen Plain (31/3) 1, small lake SW of Trujillo (2/4) 2, Madrigalejo (3/4) 8, Marsh SE of Villmanrique de la C. (4/4) 12+, (5/4) 1, (6/4) 6, near JV centre (4/4) 2.
Wood Sandpiper Donana only. Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la Condesa (4/4) 41, (5/4) 30+, (6/4) 20, near the JV centre (5/4) 5, La Rocina (6/4) 10.
Common Sandpiper Seen in most suitable sites visited such as Saucedilla Marsh. The only reservoirs I saw them at was Embalse de Sierra Brava and Embalse de Santillana which was a surprise. Easily seen in Donana.
Black headed Gull Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 1, Embalse de Sierra Brava (3/4) 2, (6/4) 10, Madrigalejo (3/4) 60, El Rocio lagoon (3+4/4) 2, JV centre (4/4) 2, Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 3.
Slender billed Gull Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 130+. All on just two pits, it’s worth looking on as many as you can.
Lesser Black backed Gull Embalse de Santillana (28/3) 15+, Embalse de Navalcan (29/3) 7, Embalse de Rosarito (29/3) 70+, Embalse de Sierra Brava (3/4) 1, El Rocio lagoon (3+4+6/4) 1, JV Centre (4/4) 100, Matalascanas Playa (6/4) 40+.
Yellow legged Gull Donana only. En route to the JV centre (4/4) 1, JV centre (4/4) 1 Mazagon harbour (5/4) 6, Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 3+, Matalascanas Playa (6/4) 6.
Gull billed Tern Embalse de Sierra Brava (3/4) 1, En route to the JV centre (4/4) 18.
Caspian Tern Embalse de Rosartio (29/3) 1, seen along the western shore of the reservoir. It performed at close range for 10-15 minutes before flying across the Res. I saw several birds in Sweden a few months later, but none gave views as good as this bird, a real cracker.
Sandwich Tern Mazagon harbour (5/4) 40, Matalascanas Playa (6/4) 50.
Whiskered Tern Embalse de Navalcan (29/3) 2. Plentiful Donana.
Razorbill Matalascanas Playa (6/4) 2 flying west was unexpected.
Black bellied Sandgrouse Mudde. Site 10 area 5 (31/3) 1H, Site 11 just past area 6, big plastic looking green barn to the north (1/4) 10, these birds flew around a bit before settling in view, and although distant the scope views were very acceptable.
Pin tailed Sandgrouse Mudde. Site 11 area 6 (1/4) 2 birds flew over calling then a group of 50 got up from near a farm house in the distance and scattered, I could still hear them 20 minutes later. Site 11 area 6 (7/4) 102+ birds were counted looking north from this spot. As soon as I stopped the car I heard them, and something spooked them and they all got up at once, what a fantastic sensation on the senses, that many birds calling and flying around, one of the spectacles of the trip. After a while a group settled in the open and I scoped 25+ birds feeding for over ½ an hour. Another bird was heard at Site 10 area 7 (7/4) 1H.
Feral Pigeon Seen in most areas.
Woodpigeon Seen in most suitable areas such as Sierra de Guadarrama.
Collared Dove Frequently seen in towns on TV ariels and elsewhere.
Turtle Dove Seen in the pines nr Mirador de Bascula (8/4) 1. One of the first birds of the year I suspect.
Great Spotted Cuckoo Mudde. Site 10 area 1+4 (31/3) 2, area 5 (2/4) 1, El Acebuche (5/4) 1, Belen Plain (6/4) 2, just N. of Saucedilla Marsh (7/4) 1.
Cuckoo Not seen until I got down to the Trujillo area. Thereafter, seen and heard daily in most areas.
Eagle Owl Portilla del Tietar in Monfrague NP is a reliable site. A bird began calling at 2105hrs on (30/3) and was seen flying off distantly. At the same site on (31/3) I scoped a bird calling from the highest part of the rock face for 5 minutes before it flew off up river. Another bird had been calling prior to it’s departure, from further down.
Little Owl Belen Plain (31/3) 1 and (6/4) 5. Ermita de San Frutos (9/4) 1H.
Common Swift First noted at Embalse de Navalcan (29/3) 1, they were seen daily thereafter in good numbers.
Pallid Swift Only seen at El Acebuche (4/4) 2. Trujillo is noted as a good spot to see this species, though the only Apus I saw there was the former sp.
Alpine Swift Rio Tajo in Monfrague NP provided views of this sp. on (30/3) 1+.
Kingfisher Nr. Embalse de Navalcan (29/3) 1, river nr, Embalse de Rosarito (29/3) 1, Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 1, (1/4) 2+, (7/4) 1, first Arroyo from Trujillo on CC911 (30/4) 1, from the CC911 along Rio Tietar tributary (1/4) 1, Madrigalejo (3/4) 1.
Bee eater Saw the first birds at Embalse de Sierra Brava (3/4) 3, plentiful in Donana, though only seen at Saucedilla Marsh (7/4) 5, Embalse de Navalcan (8/4) 2+ and Embalse de Azutan (8/4) 1 after leaving the south.
Roller A bird was found by chance in the Madrigalejo area (6/4) 1 whilst driving near Mudde. Site 11 area 1-7 (7/4) 1, Mudde. Site 10 nr area 10, N. along CC912 (7/4) 3 birds were prospecting nest boxes.
Hoopoe First birds seen at Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) 2, seen daily thereafter in good numbers especially in the area surrounding Trujillo.
Green Woodpecker Sierra de Guadarrama M611 km29 proved a productive spot, not least for this sp. (27/3) 2, (28/3) 4+, (9/4) 1, Embalse de Azutan (29/3) 1, Mudde. Site No. 2 area 2 (8/4) 1H, Sierra Gredos (8/4) 1, Mirador de lo Robeldos on M604 (9/4) 2.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Sierra de Guadarrama and Monfrague NP in reasonable numbers.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker In the cork oaks east of Portilla del Tietar, (7/4) 1f gave fantastic views close to the road.
Dupont’s Lark Ermita de San Frutos on (27/3) produced no sign of this species in the pm. On (9/4) am, at least 2 birds sang and 1 gave a very brief view. V. difficult. The best area to look is some 200m from the car park at the Ermita, on the right hand side of the road as you arrive. Standing on a rock may help to see a bird running between hideouts! I spent a lot of my time trying not to fall over the stones.
Calandra Lark Mudde. Site 10 area 5-10 (31/3) 20+, (7/4) 25+, Site 11 area 6-8 (1/4) 60+, (2/4) 25+, Belen Plain (1/4) 30+, (6/4) 12+ En route to the JV centre (4/4) 2+, Ermita de San Frutos (9/4) 2.
Short toed Lark The drive to the JV centre produced (4/4) 80+, all of which I checked for the next species. Ermita de San Frutos (9/4) 2+.
Lesser Short toed Lark Only seen 100m from the JV centre in Donana (4/4) 1.
Crested Lark Common, seen in most suitable areas.
Thekla Lark Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) 8, (9/4) 10, Embalse de Pedrezuela (28/3) 2, Belen Plain (31/3) 30+ Mudde. Site 10 area 1-3 (31/3) 10+, Site 11 area 6-9 (1/4) 10+. This sp. seems to prefer a more arid habitat than the former.
Woodlark Very common in suitable areas, probably the commonest lark of the trip.
Skylark Only at Sierra Gredos km 7+9 (8/4) 2 and Ermita de San Frutos (9/4) 3+.
Sand Martin Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 10+, Embalse de Sierra Brava (3/4) 2, En route to the JV centre (4/4) 1.
Crag Martin Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) 3, Embalse de Santillana (27/3) along M608 at km22 pull off 200+, (9/4) 25+, Embalse de Navalcan (29/3) 4+, (8/4) 4+, Monfrague NP (30/3) 100+, (2/4) 40+, (8/4) 10+, Bridge over the Rio Magasca (7/4) 5.
Swallow I needed cheering up at Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) and a single bird there did it. I saw 300+ at Embalse de Pedrezuela later the same day and thereafter they became a common sight.
Red rumped Swallow Embalse de Navalcan (27/3) 8, Monfrague NP (30/3) 4, (2/4) 15, (8/4) 4+, Mudde. Site 11 (1/4) 3, (7/4) 2, En route to JV centre (4/4) 1, Belen Plain (6/4) 1, Bridge over Rio Magasca (7/4) 2.
House Martin Saw my first birds at Embalse de Pedrezuela (28/3) 40, Embalse de Navalcan produced 200+ (29/3). They were seen in most suitable locations thereafter.
Tawny Pipit Belen Plain (6/4) 1 was a surprise, a very flighty and vocal bird presumably just in. Ermita de San Frutos (9/4) 2+.
Meadow Pipit Sierra de Guadarrama M611 km29 (28/3) 2, the circuit N. of Oropesa held (29/3) 4+, Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 3, (1/4) 10, Monfrague NP (30/3) 2, (1/4) 1, Belen Plain (31/3) 4+, (6/4) 1, Mudde, Site 11 area 6-8 (31/3) 20, (1/4) 40, (2/4) 4, Marsh SE of Villamanrique de la Condesa (6/4) 1.
Water Pipit Only seen at Sierra Gredos in a water meadow (8/4) 1 sum. plum.
Yellow Wagtail Not seen until (1/4) at Saucedilla Marsh 3+, thereafter seen in all suitable locations. All were ‘Spanish Wagtails’. A common bird.
Grey Wagtail Embalse de Navalcan (29/3) 1, Embalse de Rosartio (29/3) 1, Blk Wheatear site (1/4) 1, Monfrague NP (2/4) 1, (8/4) 2 at the dam, Sierra Gredos (8/4) 2, Embalse de Santillana (9/4) 1, Sierra de Guadarrama (9/4) 1+.
White Wagtail Common seen in all suitable locations.
Dipper Sierra de Guadarrama on M604 km28 stopped to look at a stream that looked good, sure enough (27/3) 2, (28/3) 2, (9/4) 1.
Wren Common in most areas.
Dunnock Noted in suitable areas eg Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra Gredos and Monfrague NP.
Robin Common in suitable areas as per the previous sp.
Nightingale NE of Seville nr. Gerena (3/4) 2, Donana Hide trail (3/4) 3+, (4/4) 4, El Acebuche (5/4) 2+, Madrigalejo area (6/4) 2+, Monfrague NP (7/4) 6, (8/4) 2, Embalse de Azutan (8/4) 2.
Black Redstart Nr Navacerrada (27/3) 1, En route to Supelveda (27/3) 1, Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) 10, (9/4) 3, N. of Embalse de Navalcan (29/3) 1, Penafalcon (2/4) 1.
Stonechat Reasonably common in the Steppe area around Trjillo, and Valle del Jerte (8/4) 15.
Northern Wheatear Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) 4, (9/4) 5, Belen Plain (31/3) 1, (6/4) 2, Mudde. Site 11 area 3-7 (31/3) 4, Monfrague NP (2/4) 4, En route to JV centre Donana (3/4) 4, El Acebuche (5/4) 3+.
Black eared Wheatear Monfrague NP (30/3) 2, (2/4) 1, (8/4) 1, Mudde. Site 10 area 4-10 (31/3) 3, (7/4) 3, Mudde. Site 11 area 7 (2/4) 1, Ermita de San Frutos (9/4) 3.
Black Wheatear Penafalcon (30/3) 1, scoped singing from the peak next to the highest point. I also followed up some gen on a site near Campillo de Deleitosa (1/4). No sign at the site, but as I drove over a small stream a short distance to the west, a female flew up from the roadside and put on a good show for 10mins, even allowing a few record shots.
Rock Thrush Another advert for driving around with your windows down, ears open. En route to the summit of Puerto de Honduras (8/4), I crossed a stream just after the first big left bend on the ascent, and heard an unfamiliar song. A fantastic Male was singing from a large flat rock and gave great views for 10 minutes. A great bird and rather unexpected given the lack of other migrants here.
Blue Rock Thrush Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) 2m+1f, (9/4) 1m, Penafalcon (30/3) 1m, (8/4) 1m, Portilla del Tietar (30/3) 1m, Monfrague NP (2/4) 3m.
Blackbird Common in most areas.
Fieldfare Sierra de Guadarrama on M611 km29 (27/3) 1, same spot (28/3) 50.
Song Thrush Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) 1, Sierra de Guadarrama on m611 km29 (28/3) 1, just outside Monfrague NP along CC911 (2/4) 2.
Mistle Thrush Sierra de Guadarrama M611 km29 (28/3) 2, Embalse de Santillana M608 km22 (28/3) 2+, Monfrague NP (30/3) 1, (2/4) 1, (7/4) 2, Mirador de lo Robeldos on M604 (9/4) 1.
Cetti’s Warbler Embalse de Azutan (29/3) 3, (8/4) 2, Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 4+, (7/4) 3, Monfrague NP (30/3) 6, Embalse de Sierra Brava (3/4) 1+, Madrigalejo area (3/4) 3+. Donana, up to 8 seen/heard daily, the hide trail proving the best spot visited.
Fan tailed Warbler I prefer the old fashioned name. Common from the Oropesa area south, but not seen at sites visited further north.
Savi’s Warbler Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 2, (1/4) 2, (7/4) 1, Donana Hide Trail (4/4) 1, El Acebuche (5/4) 2. The star of the show when seen, fantastic birds.
Sedge Warbler Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 2.
Reed Warbler Madrigalejo, bridge over the Rio Ruecas (3/4) 1, Donana JV Centre (4/4) 1, El Acebuche (5/4) 3+, Laguna de Tarelo (5/4) 2+, La Rocina (6/4) 1+, Embalse de Azutan (8/4) 1.
Great Reed Warbler JV Centre Donana (4/4) 1.
Dartford Warbler Ermita de San Frutos near the car park (27/3) 2, (9/4) 2, Monfrague NP- Mirador de la Bascula (2/4) 1, Donana en route to JV centre (4/4) 1H, El Acebuche (5/4) 1, Valle de Jerte - Puerto de Honduras (8/4) 2.
Spectacled Warbler Seen in the small scrub bushes alongside the road following the Rio Gualquivir N/E of the Laguna de Tarelo area. Bird detected on song whilst driving (5/4) 1+1H. The right habitat is definitely the key to seeing this sp.
Subalpine Warbler Embalse de Rosarito (29/3) 1m, Monfrague – Mirador de Trajilla (30/3) 1m+1f, (31/3) 1m, (7/4) 1m, Portilla del Tietar (31/3) 1m, (2/4) 1H, Mirador de Bascula (31/3) 1m+1f, Donana – El Acebuche (5/4) 1m+1f, N of Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 1m.
Sardinian Warbler Common in Exremadura and Donana.
Orphean Warbler The first bird was located in the Cork Oaks east of Portilla del Tietar on call, whilst driving through the area with my window down, it’s ‘chego chego’ call a bit reminiscent of a Great Tit, a second bird also located by call was along the same road just outside the park in the Dehesa (7/4) 2.
Blackcap A few birds were seen in the Sierra de Guadarrama, and near my hotel in Tres Cantos. Elsewhere, at Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 3, Monfrague NP (30/3) 2+, (1/4) 4+ Madrigalejo (3/4) 2+ Donana en route to JV centre (4/4) 1, Valle del Jerte (8/4) 1.
Wood Warbler A very lucky find in Tres Cantos, seen in a couple of small bushes outside McD***lds (9/4) 1. Only present a few minutes before flying off north.
Common Chiffchaff Embalse de Santillana (28/3) 2, Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 3+, Monfrague NP (30/3) 10+, Belen Plain (31/3) 1, Madrigalejo area Bridge over the Rio Ruecas (3/4) 5.
Willow Warbler En route to Sta. Marta de Magasca (31/3) 1, Madrigalejo area Bridge over Rio Ruecas (3/4) 1. This species like the previous two, is a migrant to the area.
Goldcrest Refugio de la Morcuzra (27/3) 2+, Pte de Navavcerrada (28/3) 1, in Sierra de Guadarrama and Sierra de Gredos (8/4) lots.
Firecrest Sierra de Guadarrama at Mirador de lo Robeldos on M604 (9/4) 3 singing birds showing well.
Long tailed Tit Common. Seen in every area visited and seen most days.
Crested Tit Pte de Navacerrada (27/3) 1, (28/3) 2+, Sierra de Guadarrama at the Dipper site previously described (28/3) 1, (9/4) 1H.
Coal Tit Common in Sierra de Guadarrama, areas of Pines in Donana, eg en route to JV centre, and Sierra de Gredos.
Blue Tit Common seen throughout.
Great Tit Seen in most areas, though not as common as the previous species.
Nuthatch Easily seen in Sierra de Guadarrama, Monfrague NP in the Cork Oaks just east of Portilla del Tietar, and en route to Puerto de Honduras.
Short toed Treecreeper A common bird easily located by it’s call. Seen in all suitable habitat in all areas visited.
Treecreeper Sierra de Guadarrama on M629 km 9 (27/3) 1, a calling bird.
Penduline Tit Madrigalejo area, bridge over the Rio Ruecas (3/4) 2H, tantalizingly.
Southern Grey Shrike First seen near Supelveda (27/3) 2, they became a common sight in lowland open areas, further south around Oropesa, Trujillo and in Donana.
Woodchat Shrike Monfrague NP to the east of Portilla del Tietar (30/3) 5, Monfrague NP (2/4) 8, Belen Plain (31/3) 1, (6/4) 1, Mudde. Site 10 (31/3+7/4) 6, Donana en route to JV centre (3/4) 3, En route to El Acebuche (5/4) 3, Laguna de Tarelo (5/4) 1, N. Bonanza Salinas (5/4) 1, La Rocina (6/4) 1, Mudde. Site 11 (7/4) 2. Not seen North of Monfrague NP, less widespread than the former sp.
Jay Seen or heard most days in Monfrague NP. Mirador de la Trajilla or Punte del Cardenal proving the most reliable spots. Elsewhere only seen on the way up to Puerto de Honduras in Valle del Jerte (8/4) 2.
Azure winged Magpie What a fantastic bird. It’s worth the trip just to watch these. Nice to look at and comical in actions. I first saw these in Sierra de Guadarrama at km29 on M611 (27/3) 11, and Embalse de Santillana (27/3) 2+, a taster of the masses I was to see further south. Likely in any Dehesa/scrub.
Magpie Widespread and common.
Red billed Chough Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) 12 and Monfrague NP at Penafalcon (30/3) 2.
Jackdaw Widespread and common.
Carrion Crow Seen from the train nr Avila (27/3) 3, Sierra de Guadarrama km29 on M611 (28/3) 1+, (9/4) 1+, Sierra Gredos (8/4) 4+. An upland species here.
Raven Frequently seen in Sierra de Guadarrama and sites visited nr Trujillo.
Rook Seen from the train in Northern France.
Common Starling Seen from the train in Northern France.
Spotless Starling Very common throughout.
House Sparrow Very common throughout
Spanish Sparrow Saucedilla Marsh (29/3) 2+ in with a group of the previous sp. Monfrague NP (30/3) 2, Mudde. Site 10 (31/3) 20+, Belen Plain (31/3+6/4) 6, Mudde. Site 11 area 5 (7/4) 60+.
Tree Sparrow Only noted in the Pines along the Hide trail at Donana (4/4) 4+, (6/4) 1H.
Rock Sparrow A small pull in along the N. edge of Embalse de Santillana along the M608 km22 provided a flock of (28/3) 35. Mudde. Site 10 just after area 4 (31/3) 2. Just outside Monfrague NP on the road from Portilla del Tietar (7/4) 2.
Common Waxbill NW of Madrigalejo. Mudde. Site 17 area 3, (3/4) 6.
Red Avadavat NW of Madrigalejo. Mudde. Site 17 area 3, (3/4) 12.
Chaffinch Common in Sierra de Guadarrama, Monfrague NP, and at the northern Embalses.
Brambling A fine Male was seen in a large flock of birds along the northern edge of Embalse de Santillana at km22 of the M608 (28/3) 1m.
Serin Very common in most locations.
Citril Finch Only seen in Sierra de Guadarrama. At km 22.5 on M611 (27/3) 2 briefly. Also at Puerto de Navacerrada. From the two bars here, look south in the area of the ski lift or the woods to the west of the main road, for views of this sp. (28/3) 2 gave great views perched on the wires near the ski lift.
Greenfinch Nr Navacerrada (27/3) 1H, M611 km 22.5 (27/3) 3+, Monfrague NP (30/3) 2+, (2/4) 1, Donana Hide trail (4/4) 6, La Rocina (6/4) 4, Embalse de Santillana (9/4) 1H.
Goldfinch Common throughout.
Siskin Sierra de Guadarrama on M629 km 9 (27/3) 1.
Linnet Ermita de San Frutos (27/3) 14+, Embalse de Santillana M608 km22 pull in (28/3) 16, Monfrague NP (2/4) 20+, Valle del Jerte (8/4) 2, Embalse de Azutan (8/4) 4+.
Common Crossbill Only seen on Sierra de Guadarrama. Nr Refugio de la Morcuzra (27/3) 6, en route to Pte de Navacerrada (28/3) 10+.
Hawfinch Sierra de Guadarrama M611 km29 (27+28/3) 1, Monfrague NP at Mirador de la Trajilla (30/3) 8 (2/4) 6 feeding in the car park trees at point blank range on both occasions, easily the best views I’ve had of this stunning bird, the birds were at this site when it was quiet, not on busy days. Portilla del Tietar (30/3) 2, Nr Sta Marta de Magasca, bridge over the Rio Magasca (7/4) 1.
Cirl Bunting Embalse de Santillana on M608 km 22 at the small track (28/3) a pair, Mudde. Site 11 area 8-9 (1/4) 1m, Valle de Jerte, Mudde. Site 2 area 2 (8/4) 1f.
Rock Bunting Sierra de Guadarrama near Refugio de la Morcuzra (27/3) 2m, (9/4) 2+, Penafalcon (30/3) 1+, Mirador de la Trajadilla (30/3) 1, (2/4) 2, Valle del Jerte en route to Puerto de Honduras (8/4) 6+, Sierra Gredos (8/4) 4+, Ermita de San Frutos (9/4) 1.
Corn Bunting Abundant in suitable habitat.
202 species including 3 in Northern France